Population, Poverty Both Grew in This Asian American Community

At the same time that the 63,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned businesses in Orange County, California, created over 96,000 jobs, dispensed $3 billion in payroll, and generated $20 billion in revenue, the number of unemployed Asian Americans in Orange County grew 123%, and the number of Asian Americans living in poverty increased 51% to 57,000 people, or 1 in 10.

Experts say as the community grows, so their needs, not just in California, but across America.

“The trends we're seeing in Orange County are a reflection of what is happening across the United States,” says Kristin Sakaguchi, Research Analyst at Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, “With tremendous growth come real challenges across a range of issues. It is important for policymakers to understand Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and their diverse needs.”